A Sheet of Forgework Details

The Art of the Blacksmith

This sheet shows typical forgework details, some of which can be seen in the gates of Abney Park Cemetery and Sisters' House. If metal is bent cold, it stays the same section all along its length. Red-hot iron can be hammered to a taper because it is then plastic and moves like clay. It is difficult for anyone to recognise the difference between Wrought Iron (Sisters' Place) and Bent Iron, where the metal stays the same section all along (the front railings of 'Fairview' in Queen Elizabeth's Walk) without examining examples closely.

A board holding small examples of different ornamental forgings, made in the school workshops, would be a valuable help for an Urban Studies course.